PIECES OF PUZZLE COME TOGETHER IN INCREDIBLE MICROMOSAIC: MEET LE SIBILLE
In ancient Greece, the Sibyls – or 'le Sibille' in Italian – were shrouded figures who whispered the will of the gods from hallowed sanctuaries. These veiled prophetesses, their words enigmatic and intoxicating, spun sacred stories from the threads of destiny.
Today, their voices echo through the labyrinth of time, the cryptic enchantments of the past winding through the tapestry of history.
A modern homage to this mystique emerges in Rome, where three master craftswomen have, since 1990, breathed life into the jewelry brand Le Sibille. Guardians of the ancient Small Roman Mosaic technique, and specialists in the venerable craft of goldsmithing, Le Sibille’s founders have forged an alchemical bond between antiquity and modern artisanship.
THE EDEN GARDEN OF RICHARD WU
Amid the grey canvas of an industrial city, Richard Wu paints his dreams with the vibrant hues of nature. His personal Eden, a sanctuary of plants and flowers, guides his hands as he creates his masterpieces.
Unlike many jewelers, Wu isn’t tempted by distant futuristic designs. He finds his muse in the natural world. Every leaf's curve, every petal's gradient finds a voice in his creations. Trained under the discerning eyes of masters at Buccellati, he melds the ethereal beauty of nature with refined craftsmanship.
Richard's affinity for nature is matched only by his relentless quest for new and innovative materials, and the honing of his techniques. In Wu's world, the boundaries of imagination dissolve. Let's delve deeper into his story.
A FUSION OF STRENGTH AND ELEGANCE BY YVES SAINT LAURENT
In the stark brightness of the morning, a moment of audacious creativity unfolds as Yves Saint Laurent unveils its latest jewelry collection, an homage to resilience and fortitude, envisioned by the Belgian-Italian designer and creative director of YSL, Anthony Vaccarello.
The blend of masculine energy and feminine elegance, embodied in mirror-smooth steel bracelets and twisted rings, unfurls an intriguing juxtaposition – the spirit of modern woman. In their seeming simplicity, the individual pieces create a compelling ensemble when combined. Each bulky mirror bracelet, each dainty twist ring, seems to retain a memory and form part of the timelessly elegant and bold YSL legacy.
EFFORTLESS AND TIMELESS: HAWAII COLLECTION BY BUCCELLATI
For more than a century, in the labyrinth of Italy's ancient craftsmanship and goldsmithing traditions, the hands of the Buccellati family have been weaving dreams into reality, creating jewels that whisper tales of unparalleled beauty and quality.
The patriarch, Mario Buccellati, passed this poetic dance of creation down to his son Gianmaria, and later to his grandson Andrea, each generation preserving the unique techniques and the creative philosophy of the jewelry house, not allowing them to become mere ghosts of the past. Their recognizable style, born of a century of creativity, is a mirror of Italy itself – blending history, tradition, and an enduring allure.
Echoing tales of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, yet simultaneously speaking a language that resonates with the hearts of modern-day jewelry aficionados, their pieces are inspired by Venetian lace, Etruscan patterns, and the country's vibrant flora and fauna.
FANCY SOME ICE CREAM? SPUMONI RING BY NICHOLAS VARNEY
Did you know that scooping spumoni – molded Italian ice cream delight, a colorful fusion of flavors and traditions – is considered bad manners? Unlike regular ice cream, it should always be sliced, not scooped, to showcase its beautiful, layered structure.
Thought to have originated in Naples, Italy, in the 19th century, spumoni's journey began with a simple yet inventive concept: combining layers of different colors and tastes. Taditionally it features three main flavors – cherry, pistachio, and chocolate or vanilla – with a candied fruit and nut layer that typically contains cherry bits, creating the signature red/pink, green, and brown color combination that is as much a visual treat as it is a culinary one.
WHEELS OF FORTUNE: EARRINGS BY ILGIZ FAZULZYANOV
Ilgiz often emphasizes the importance of originality.
Whenever he conceives a design, he ensures that it stands apart from all others, highlighting the significance for an artist’s recognition of having a distinct style. The distinctiveness of Ilgiz’s creations is due to the relentless dedication he has invested in studying, trying, making mistakes and learning from them, searching for his true self, which is pivotal, particularly for a master artist, as it influences the authenticity and uniqueness of their artistic expressions.
Ilgiz Fazulzyanov’s signature creations are made using the technique of painted enamel.” His favourite styles are Art Deco and Art Nouveau, but this does not stop him from experimenting and combining ancient techniques with modern developments.
AS PIERCING AS A GORGEOUS WOMAN'S GAZE: EARRINGS BY BOGHOSSIAN
In the epicentre of a pulsing urban landscape, women confidently stride through corporate hubs, buzzing startups, tech incubators, mind-blowing science labs, avant-garde museums, and eclectic art spaces: the epitome of the contemporary spirit, seamlessly blending professional pursuits with personal passions. Continually defying norms, these educators and learners, advocates and peacemakers, athletes and scientists navigate the complexities of today's demands, while remaining authentically themselves.
After the hustle of the day, many find tranquillity gazing out over the city's luminous skyline. In these moments, the touch of refined jewels is a gentle nudge: amidst the broad spectrum of ambitions and roles, the heart's simple desires for love, peace, and moments of quiet joy remain timeless.
Ethereal, empowered, and resilient: these earrings by Boghossian celebrate the essence of the modern woman.
THE TALE OF EOSPHOROS: A BROOCH BY GEORGES BRAQUE
Once upon a time, in a place where the heavens met earth, there lived two celestial siblings, Eosphoros and Hesperos, gods of the morning and evening stars. Eosphoros, the Dawn Bringer, heralded the arrival of light in the morning, while Hesperos, the Evening Star, ushered in the twilight. People, in their wonder, saw the two brothers as two separate celestial bodies, marvelling at their distinct appearances in the grand tapestry of the sky.
In a parallel tale, many moons later, the mortal artist Georges Braque (1882–1963), a master of forms and shaper of perspectives, known for his pioneering spirit in the world of Cubist art, sought to capture the essence of space and time. In his lifetime, Braque transformed his visions from the ethereal planes of Cubism, moving beyond the angular constraints to embrace the fluidity of still lives, colors, and textures.
LADY IN RED BY LUZ CAMINO
Red ochre, a natural pigment rich in iron, holds a special place in human history, with its use dating back as far as 300,000 years. First discovered in the Palaeolithic era, this warm, earthy hue has been a companion to mankind since the dawn of time. Since then, the color red has painted history with its vibrant strokes: a trademark hue of power, divinity, valor, and celebration.
These red vine earrings by the incredible jewelry artist Luz Camino and paintings by Jacqueline Ostermann and Alisher Kushakov, demonstrate the power of red in art. The women in the paintings, adorned in red or juxtaposed against a red backdrop, become symbols of strength, emotion, passion and energy of life itself, transcending mere visual appreciation.